Wondering how many days until Earth Day? The countdown above has the answer: the next Earth Day is on Thursday, April 22, 2027. Held every April 22, it is one of the largest civic observances in the world, bringing together volunteers, schools, cities and companies around protecting the environment.
How Earth Day started
The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, in the United States. It was the idea of Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, who had been alarmed by environmental damage such as the 1969 oil spill off Santa Barbara, California. He recruited young activist Denis Hayes to coordinate a nationwide “teach-in” modeled on campus protest movements of the time.
The response was enormous: an estimated 20 million Americans took part in rallies, cleanups and lectures. The political momentum helped lead to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency later in 1970 and to landmark laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Why April 22?
The organizers wanted to reach college students, so they picked a weekday that fell between spring break and final exams. April 22 stuck and has stayed fixed ever since, so the day of the week changes each year. Earth Day is not a federal holiday; schools and businesses stay open, which is part of why it works so well for classroom projects and workplace events.
A global movement
In 1990 Earth Day went international, and today it is coordinated by EARTHDAY.ORG, which announces a theme each year. In 2009 the United Nations designated April 22 as International Mother Earth Day, and in 2016 world leaders chose Earth Day for the signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change in New York.
Ideas for Earth Day
At home
- Plant a tree, a pollinator-friendly flower bed or herbs on a windowsill.
- Do a quick waste audit: what fills your trash can, and what could be recycled or composted?
- Try a meat-free day or cook with seasonal, local produce.
- Walk, bike or take transit for your errands.
At school
- Organize a campus or schoolyard cleanup and weigh what you collect.
- Start a seed-planting project students can watch grow until summer.
- Hold a debate or poster contest around the year’s Earth Day theme.
In your community and workplace
Join a park or beach cleanup, set up a clothing or electronics swap, or organize a commuter challenge. Many cities and local parks departments list volunteer events in the weeks before April 22.
Keep track of the date
With 176 days left, you have time to plan. Add Earth Day to your calendar or share the countdown with your class or team. If you want more green dates, World Water Day (March 22), Earth Hour in late March and World Environment Day (June 5) are close by.